Accordion panel closure and bath enclosures using same



L. E. CARSON Jan. 18, 1955 ACCORDION PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING SAME Filed June ,25, l1952 JNVENTOR. LHWRENCE CHRSON /I TTORWE;

Jan. 18, l1955 L. E. c ARsoN ACCORDION PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING SAME Filed June 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 5%@ LMW LA wee/VCE fl'r'roRNEy.

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Jan. 18, 1955 1 E. CARSON ACCORDION PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING SAME Filed June 23, 1952 E CARSON I @Mm JMW.

Jari. 18, 1955 L. E. CARSON 2,599,827

ACCORDION PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING SAME Filed June 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F'zg ,3.10.

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Jan. 18, 1955 L.. E. CARSON ACCORDION PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING Filed June 23, 1952 TTU@ we y.,

United States Patent() ACCORDIN PANEL CLOSURE AND BATH ENCLOSURES USING SAME Lawrence E. Carson, Alhambra, Calif., assignor to American Shower Door Company, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 23, 1952, Serial No. 295,101 11 Claims. (Cl. 1611-229) This invention relates, in its presently prepared embodiment-as described in this application-to the design of a bathtub or shower stall enclosure.

In the bathtub or shower bath enclosures of the prior art it has been necessary to specially design each enclosure to get the individual dimensional and structural characteristics of the bathroom and tub construction which is to be enclosed.

In the following specification I employ the term bath enclosure as also including a shower bath or tub enclosure.

lt is an object of my invention to design a bath enclosure which is readily adjustable and is of such simple construction that it may be installed without cutting or iitting or the use of special tools.

In the bath enclosure of my invention I have provided a collapsible accordion type closure which may be collapsed accordion-wise, to open the entire enclosure wide and permit ot ready access, as for example, to tub for cleaning and may also readily be extended to enclose the tub when it is so desired.

In developing the design of my enclosure, l have designed a novel and simple closure made of hinged panels and have designed a unique and simple hinge for said panels to permit them to accordion, which closure may be used in constructing the bath enclosure.

The bath enclosure of my invention comprises two xed panel sections one at each end of the enclosure, an adjustable header section positioned above and a track member inserted on the edge of the tub or any other base on which the enclosure is to be placed. A track extends along the header section; a collapsible accordion panelled closure extended between the iixed and panel sections is so designed that when collapsed, the accordion panel closure may be placed behind any of the end panels. The accordion panel closure is formed of a plurality of hinged panel sections, with alternate hinges unsupported, while intermediate hinges are supported on rollers riding inthe track on the header.

Suitable provisions may be made for restraining any splash of water in the enclosure from escaping out of` the enclosures.

In-designing the collapsible accordion type panel closure, I have designed a unique construction made of identical panel members having end flanges and hook-like channel members forming a hinging interlock with said panel edge ilanges to permit the pivoting of the panels in said channels. The panels and channel members are readily assemblable by sliding the panels edgewise into said channel members.

These and other objects of my invention will be further described in connection with the drawings of which- Fig. 1 is a perspective of a bath enclosure according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail showing the accordion panel closure shown in Fig. 2, in partially accordioned or collapsed condition;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 shown in Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section online 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the lower railing;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. l;

Fig. l0 is a section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is a section on line 11-11 ofFig. l0;

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Fig. l2 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 13 is a front view of the channel hinge of Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a section along line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail of the panel hinge construction shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a detailed View showing the start of the pivoting of the panel.

Fig. 17 shows the pivoting of the panel in a later stage;

Fig. 18 shows the pivoting of the panel in a inal stage;

Fig. 19 is a schematic showing of the accordioning of the panels;

Fig. 20 is a modification of the hinge; and

Fig. 2l is a schematic showing of the accordioning permitted by the hinge of Fig. 20.

The enclosure as shown in Fig. l has the inset tub placed between two walls 3 and 4. The enclosure is mounted on the tub edge 5 and between the walls 3 and 4.

The panel base member 6, shown in Fig. l, is suitably made of hard rubber and includes a longitudinally extending track 7. The track is placed on the top edge 5 with the base 6 cemented to the tub edge. The dam 9 is placed toward the interior of the tub and the dam 8 is placed toward the exterior surface of the tub. The dam 8, as shown, is taller than the dam 9. Suitable drain holes 10 are spaced along the length of` track to permit weltg'ter accumulating in the track to drain back into the tu On both ends of the track 7 and adjacent the walls 3 and 4 are positioned channels 11 having a depending lower channel member 12 which tits snugly over the dam 8. The channel member 12 carries an upper channel member 13 (see Figs. l and 2).

A header 14 extends along the upper end of the enclosure. The header is in the form of a channelhaving top 17 and sides 15 and 16. Side 15 carries an inturned ange 18, parallel to the top 17. The apron 2t) depends from the flange 15. The flange 18 carries a roller track 19. The top carries two parallel rails 21 (see Fig. 4).

The adjustable header section 22 has a verticalsection which conforms withthe vertical sections 24` and 25 of the header and permits the header section 22 to slide over the header 14. The header section 22 is formed of a channel section having a top 23 which sets on the rails 21 and sides 24 and 25 which slide over the sides 1S and 16 ofthe channel header 14.

Side 25 carries an inturned ilange 26 neath the flange l. From the flange 26 depend two spaced parallel flanges 27 and 28 which with the flange 26 forms a depending channel 29, which extends longitudinally of the front face adjustable channel member 22 (see Figs. 4-7, incl.).

Pressed against each wall are pressure plates 31) separated from the wall by rubber pads 31 which are adhe* sively secured to the wall. The plates may be cemented to the rubber pad and may also be secured to the wall by screws passing through holes 35. Struck from the back of the plate 30 are two coplanar lugs 33 parallel to the top 23 of the adjustable channel header 22 and on which lugs the header rests. Struck from the face of the plate are two parallel centering lugs 34 which abut the interior surfaces of the sides 24 and 25 and center the header 23 (see Figs. 9 and l0).

Placed on the exterior surface of the top 17 of the header 16 and adjacent the end of the top 23 of the header 22 is a plate 36, held in position on the top 17 by means of a lug 37 struck from the plate 36 and tting into a bore 38 in the top 17 of the header 16 (see Fig. 9). One end of the plate 36 is turned upward into a llange 39 through which passes a screw 4@ screwed into a tapped hole in the ilange 39.4 Slidably placed between the underneath side of the top 23 and the upper surface of 36 is a slide plate 41 carrying a ange 42 which may be pressed against the end 35' by means of the screw 40.

which tits under It will be seen that plate 36 and plate 41 and screw 40 form a screw jack.

The construction described for the adjustable header, pressure plate and screw jack is used at each end of the header 16 and is shown in Figs. l, 9, l0, and ll.

To mount the header the pressure plates areV mounted on the walls, the header 16 telescoped into-the adjustable 3 header 22, and the screw jack adjusted until the header is tight between the two walls 3 and 4.

The end panels 55 (Fig. 2) carried between channels 43 and 65 of identical design are set between the header and rail 17 and carry a splash panel 67. The channel members 43 and 65 have a horizontal cross section shown in Figs. 15 to 18 and are each closed at both ends by clips 44 (see Figs. l2 and 14).

The cross section of the channel member (Figs. l to 18) is in the form of two channels 44 and 45 which are mirror images of each other and are joined back to back at the base 46 and have respectively the side arms 47 and 48, both directed the same. The arms 47 and 48 are of unequal length and carry at their outward ends terminal hook-like flanges 49 and 50 which are parallel to and directed toward each other to form a partial closure for the channels 44 and 45 respectively. lt will be observed that the terminal edge 51 of the hook flange 49 is spaced from the terminal edge 52 of the llarolok flange 50 for a linear distance to be described e ow.

Additionally, it will be observed that the interior planar surface 54 of the hook flange 50 is spaced from the interior planar surface of the hook flange 49 for a linear distance in a direction perpendicular to the spacing of the terminal surfaces 51 and 52, substantially equal to the spacing of the terminal surfaces 51 and 52, as will be described below. The hook flanges are each of such height that they are non-overlapping and there is thus provided entrance 55 into the channels 44 and 45 respec tively between the terminal surfaces 51 and 52.

Into channel 45 is set a panel 55V carrying a rib 56 extending along the panel, parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal edge 57. The rib 56 is spaced from end 57 for a distance, such that the linear distance between the interior Wall surface l58 of the ange 56 and the terminal surface 57 of the panel end, is not greater than and preferably less than the distance between the terminal surface 51 of the llange 49, measured in any direction toward the interior wall 59 of the back 46 and less also than the linear distance between the interior wall of the arm 48 as will be described more fully below. The thickness of the panel 55 adjacent the rib 56 is somewhat less than the linear distance between the surface 51 and 52 and the height of the rib (i. e. the distance between the top surface 59 of the rib 56 and the surface 60 of the panel 55' adjacent the rib) is greater than the thickness of the flange 49 and less than the height of the hook arm 49 for the reason described below. The linear distance of the top 59 of the rib 56 and the opposite surface 60 is greater than the linear distance between the interior surface 49 and the interior surface 54 and greater than the linear distance between the terminal surface 51 and 52.

By reason of this construction the edge 57 of the panel 55' which is of the construction described above, may be slid into the channel 45 of the channel member with the rib 56 between the interior wall 49' of the hook member 49 and the base 46 with the edge 57 of the panel 55 adjacent the interior wall 59 of the base 46. lt will be observed that the arm 49 and the rib 56 form a hooklike interlock against displacement from the channel. The open ends of the channels 44 and 45 at both ends of the channel members are closed by two closure plates 44 (see Figs. 6 and 14). The channel ends are notched by removing the base 46 of the channel members at the bottom and top. The plate 44, which is notched at 62 to pass over the hook arm 49, tits between the arms 49 and 50 to close the end of the channels top and bottom. The ends 63 are bent over slightly to lock the plates 44 in place. Since the spacing of the end closure plates 44,top and bottom of the channel members is substantially equal to the height of the panel in the channel, the panel is locked in place against longitudinal displacement in the channel (see Fig. 14).

As shown in Figs. and 18, the opposite ends 57 of the panel carry a rib 56 and a panel end of the same design, dimension and spacing as the rib 56 and the panel end 57. The rib 56 is positioned on the surface 6i) opposite to the surface 50' on which the rib 56 is positioned.

A channel 65 (Fig. 4) of identical design to that of 43 is interlocked with the panel 55 by sliding the panel end 57 and rib 56 into the channel 45 of the channel member 65, so that the rib 56 is placed between the interior surface 50 of the hook flange 50 and the interior wall 59 of the base 46. It will be observed that the channel member 65 is placed between the header and the rail 6 so that it is a mirror image of the channel member 43. That is, in channel member 65, the long arm 48 of one channel member is in line with the short arm 47 of the other channel members.

It will also be observed in Fig. 2 that the channel 43 or the channel member 45, which is to be placed next to the wall 3 or 4, as one chooses, the shorter arm 47 is toward the interior of the enclosure and the longer arm 48 is to the exterior of the enclosure. This construction permits the fastening of a splash shield, as will be described below.

For this purpose a splash panel section 67 of construction similar to the panel 55 is entered into the channel 45 with the rib 56 between the hook arm 49 and the interior wall 59 of the base 46. The other end of the panel, i. e., the rib 56, is cut off longitudinally of the panel (Figs. 2 and 16).

The two end panels 55 and the two channels 43, carrying the splash panel 67, are each set into position adjacent each of the end walls 3 and 4, respectively, with lower ends of the channels 43 and 65 and lower end of the panel 55 positioned in the lower channel 13 of the channel l1 and the upper end of the channel members 43 and 65 and the upper end of the panel 55 positioned in the channel 29 of the adjustable channel header 25. The various dimensions are such that the arms 27 and 28 and the outer arms of the channel 13 extend over the top and bottom edges of the panel. The panel 55 thus makes a snug tit and is held in position on the channels 29 and 13 and water is kept from splashing underneath the panel.

The splash panel 67 is cut shorter than the panel 55' so that it will swing between the upper edge of the channel 13 and the lower edge of the arms 28, 29 and 20.

As in Fig. 2, when the panels 55 and splash panel 67 are installed, one at each end of the enclosure, adjacent the walls 3 and 4, the splash panels will take an angular position to cover any space left between the channel member 43 and the walls 3 and 4 such as is caused by any protuberance from the walls, as, for example, by tiling 68 or any other feature which prevents the channel member from making a water-tight joint with the wall.

As will be described below, the particular features of the design of the channel member and the hook-like arm sections thereof and the ribs of the panels permit the panel 67 to pivot in the channel 43 as if it were on a hinge without any disengagement of the rib and of the panel from the hook engagement in the channel 43. The panel 67 can thus take the necessary angular position to the rear of the opening between the channel 43 and the walls 3 and 4 and prevent splashing of water from getting outside of the enclosure or any crack between the channels 43 and the walls 3 or 4.

By positioning the end panels 67, one against the wall 3 and one against the wall 4, tne space 2 is partially enclosed.

By reason of the unique properties of the channel design of the channel 43, as described above, .l may use such channels to close the opening between the fixed end panels 55 by a collapsing accordion panel closure. To accomplish this purpose I mount adjacent one wall, either 3 or 4 (shown at 3 in Fig. 2), a channel member 69 ofdesign and construction identical with that described for channel 43 (and whose cross section is shown in Fig. l5 to 18, incl.) except for the end closures of the channel member, as will be described below.

The channel 69 is mounted (see Fig. 5) so that the arms 48 are faced toward the exterior of the enclosure, and the panel 70 of the same design as panel 55 carrying the ribs 56 is entered into channel 69 so that the rib 56 and end 57 enter the channel 45 of channel 81.

The top of the channel 69 (see Figs. 4, 5) is notched and closed by a plate 44 in the same manner as was described for channel 43. The bottom of the channel member 69 tits into a channel 71 which embraces the exterior walls of the arms 47 and 48 and the base 72 of the channel closes the end of the channels 44' and 45. The base 72 and the plate 44 at both ends enclose the ends of the panel 70 so that it has practically no end play but can pivot, i. e., the ends make an easy sliding fit with the end closure 72 and 44.

At the top of the channel is mounted a fitting 73 screwed into the base 46 of the channel member between the arms47 and48.` Theioller 7411's rotatablyl mounted-on a` shaft 75-positioned inthe fitting andfrolling zon thetrack 19. The roller is prevented from rolling byA means` of screws 76 and 76 positioned onV either side ofthe roller (see Fig. and screwed through tapped bores 78 positionedlin the bottom of the track 19. A number of spaced holes 78 are provided along the track so that the screws may be set at desired locations to fasten the end channel member 69 at the desired position-behind the fixedpanel 55 adjacent the wall 3. The lower end of the channel member` 69 is fixed by the channel 79 which is: wedged between the dams 8 and 9 and to which the channel 71 is secured by a screw 80 passing througha drilled hole in 79'and into the end 72 through a drilled holeinthe` base 72. The panel 70 is thus fixed between the: header 16 and the` rubber panel track member 7 and acts as an anchor. post for the accordion panel closure.

Itwillbeobserved that the top of the panel 70 (Flgs. 2, 4,` and 5) is above the lower end of the depending flange 20 and below the track 19 and that the lower end of. the channel member 69 is below the top of the dam 8, forV reasons to be explained below.

The accordion closure is made up of a plurality of panels each hinged at each end on a` channel member of design similar to channel 43 and each alternate channel member being supported on a roller 74 rolling on` the track 19 of` the channel member between'the roller guidingV channel members, being free to move away from the header and track 7. Except for the roller mounted on theiixed channel member69, each of the roller supported channel members are free to move along the track 19.

Thus the next channel member 81 (see Figs. 2 and 6) adjacent the channel member 69 is a free channel member positioned so that the arms 48 are on the same side as the arms 47 of the channel` member 69, i. e., the channel member 81 is positioned so that it is a mirror image `of the channel member 69. The rib 56 of the panel 70 is entered into the channel 45 of the channel member` 69 and the rib 56 of the panel 70 is entered into the channel 44? of the channel member 81, as was described in connection with panel 55. The channel 81 isthen closed at top and bottom by plates 44 which make an easy sliding tit with the panel 70 so as to permit the panel to pivot without any material amount of end play in the same manner as was described for panels 55 and 67. As is shown in Fig. 6, the top of the channel 81 hangs free, i. e., it is not connected either to the header or track 7. The bottom of the channel member 81 and the panels 70 and 55 hinged thereon are below the top of the dam 8` and the panels 70 and 55 are behind the fiange 20 (see Figs. 2 and 6).

Adjacent the channel member 81 is positioned channel 82 which is constructed similarly to channel 43 and is closed at its upper and lower ends by a closure 44 and is carried in a bracket 73 on which is mounted a shaft 75 on which the roller 74 is rotatably mounted to travel in track 19. The channel member 82 is positioned in the same way as is channel member 69, i. e., it is positioned so that itis a mirror image ofthe channel member 81.

A panel 83 (see Figs. 2 and l5) is longitudinally mounted in the channel member 81 similarly to the mounting of the panel 70 in channel member 69. The rib 56 and end 57 is entered into the channel 45 of the channel member 81 and the rib 56 and end 64 entered into the channel 44 of the channel member 82.

The top end of the channel member 82 and of the panels 70 and 83 (see Figs. 7 and 8) are behind the depending flange 20 and the bottom of the channel member 82 and the panels 70 and 83 are behind the dam 8 and in the track 7 between the dam 8 and the dam 9. The alternate arrangement of roller supported and free channel members and panels mounted therebetween is repeated, as described, to cover, when the panels are extended in line with each other, the opening between the iixed panels 55 and adjacent to walls 3 and 4.

It will be observed that the top of the channels 82, carrying the rollers 74 which are free to roll in the track 19, are restrained by the track to a position in line with each other and adjacent the depending arm 16 of the header. At the lower end the brackets` are restrained by dam 8. The top of the channel members 81 are beneath the lower end of the depending flange 16 and the lower end of the channel members 81 are above, i. e. will. clear. the top of the dam 9. Because the channel members 81 hang free, they are somewhat deflected to G the rear, i. e. toward. the enclosurel 2,1if` alongitudinal pull isnot exertedonthe endchannel member 82.

Reference to Fig. 2, 3 andi 5 shows thatwhenthe channelfmember 82.is pushed in the direction of the arrow A (see Fig. 2) the center of pressure' of the end15.7 (see Fig. l5) against the interior'wall 59'of thechannel 45 is somewhat to one side of the center line of` the channel. Because of the displacement of the free channel members 81` from the line `of the rollers in suspended channel members, and the positioning of the point'of application of the pressure of the center line as-stated,.off the center, the free channels 81 tend to be movedinto the enclosure 2 (mounted `as described above) and also toward the fixed channel-member 69.

The channels take a position'shown in Fig. 17 and the panels accordion asshown in Figs. 3 and 19. Without desiring to limit myself to any theory ott the advantage of my hinge, the following appearstobe an explanation of theunique action of thechannel and panel design of my invention.

It will be observed that because of the designl of the cross section of the panel and-channel member, thepanels pivot by the rotation of' the ribsover the ends of the hook flanges and cannot` be pulled out ofengagement because or' the interlockof the ribs and flanges.

It will be observed that as the end 57 pivots and the` ribs 56 rotate over the ends 5'1 ofV the angesf 47, onfthe channel member 82, that the other end 57 of the panel pivots on the flange 50 of the channel member 81, with the end 57 adjacent theinterior wall of-` the base 46 and the arm 48. Reference to Fig. 17 will also show that as `thewrib 56 rolls from position in Fig. 16 totthe position of"1='ig.'.l7Y that the center of contact of the rib 56`on the end` ASlgof'the flange rolls over the end 51 toward the exterior surface 53 of the panel `thustravels in an arcuate, noncircular path onltheinteriorV wall-of the 4base 46 andK the interior surface of the. arm 48-iscontouredto permit the en'ds 57 to travel freely-'intheir respective channels from position shown in Fig.. 1'5` to `the position.- shown in Fig. 17 as therollers 74tmounted on:the channelmembers 82travel alongtlre track 1.9.V toward thefixedl channel member 69. The` free channelmembers- 81-.rnove toward the interior 2v ofthe enclosure1and alsortowardnthe fixed channel member 69 and the lalternate panels-rotate clockwise and counter` clockwise, as shownin'Figs. 3 and 19, and the hinged panels accordion.. `In thenal `position the roller supportedchannelmembers 82 and the free panelirnembers 81are.all-behind the -xedpanel 55 and the panels take the position shown in Fig. 18 with the exterior surface of4 the panelagainstl the interior surface 49a of the angemember. 49t and the surface 60 at the otherend `off the-panel against the interior surface 49a. It1 will be seen that rthe ribsextend beyond the interior wall 54 of the anges-501so1that the 'panels are interlocke'dlwith the.

channel members and cannot pull out.

The panels maywthusaccordion to be nested `behind the xedpanels, asfshown. in Fig. 19 in dotted 1ines, vor extendedto close the opening between the fixed end panels It will alsobeobservedathat the panels when extended are allnbehindthe dam-8and thus any splash against the panels .runs down into the ltrack 7 i and the water may run ofinto the tub through `bores 10 spaced along the track 7;

For the` purposes` described above the accordioning of. the panelsmounted onthe same channel member one clockwise andthe other counterclockwise to accordion soA that all panelsfinally` come adjacent eachother as illustrated .schematically inFig. 19, is most suitable and is` made possiblexby. the unique arrangement and design of the panels described above.

However, a `differenttype of accordioning of the panels as illustrated in Fig. 2l inwhich the accordion istwo panels wide, is made possible by the use, 'in place of-the channel membersSZ, of. a channel member having a cross section shown in'Fig. 20.-` The two channel membersl 84` and are of. the same design and-relation of` partsas channel 44 and45, exceptonly thatone of thechannels has beenbrotatedv so` that now instead-of the arms oflike :length being inthe same sidesas in the case of'the` channelsof Figs. 2, 3 and l5 to 18inclusive, the short arms 47 are on the same' side-as thelong arms 48. The panels are of the samezdesign `as the panels previously described. By reason of this design the vp anelsz mounted .on thechan nel. members, having the. cross section.` of the` channel of the flange 49. The other end 57 members shown in Fig. 20, both rotate in the same direction, i. e. either both clockwise or both counterclock- Wise, when the channel has the position shown in Fig. 20. In the position shown in Fig. 20, if the channel of Fig. 20 is used in the place of the channel 82, channels 81 being of the form shown in Figs. 2, 3, l to 18 inclusive, an accordioning as shown schematically in Fig. 21 will result.

While I have described my invention as applied to tub enclosures, the closure of my invention may be applied to the closure of other areas and as will be understood by those skilled in this art, the novel accordion panel closure member may be used as doors, partitions, screens and for other collapsible partition or closure uses, while the hinge construction disclosed herein may be used for any purpose where hinges may be employed.

While I have described a particular embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptations thereof may be made within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

"I claim:

vl. An enclosure, comprising a header, spaced side panels, means for holding said side panels in position on said header, one at each end of said header, an accordion panel closure for the space between said side panels, said closure including a plurality of hingedly mounted panels, hinge members between said panels, one along each lon gitudinal side of said panels, and means at each alternate hinge member for movably mounting said alternate hinge member on said header, and the hinge members between ,said header-mounted hinge members being free said hinged panels being movable on said hinges to a substantially in line position between said side panels with the ends of said panel closure extending behind the side panels.

2. A bath enclosure, comprising a header, a track extending along said header, spaced side panels, means for holding said side panels in position on said header, one at each end of said header, an accordion panel closure for the space between said side panels, said closure including a plurality of hingedly mounted panels, hinge members between said panels, one along each longitudinal side of said panels, a bracket mounted on each alternate hinge member, a roller rotatably mounted on each bracket, said rollers being mounted on said track, and the hinge members between said header-mounted hinge members being free said hinged panels being movable on said hinges to a substantially in line position between said side panels with the ends of said panel closure extending behind the side panels.

3. A bath enclosure, comprising a header, means intermediate the ends of said header for adjusting the same longitudinally, spaced side panels, means for holding said side panels in position on said header, one at each end of said header, an accordion panel closure for the space between said side panels, said closure including a plurality of hingedly mounted panels, hinge members between said panels, one along each longitudinal side of said panels, one of said hinges adjacent one end of said closure xedly positioned behind one of said side panels and means at each alternate hinge member for movably mounting said alternate hinge member on said header, and the hinge members between said header-mounted hinge members being free said hinged panels being movable on said hinges to a substantially in line position between said side panels with the other end of said panel closure extending behind the other side panel.

4. A hinge comprising a channel, said channel comprising a base, two spaced side arms of unequal length extending from said base in the same direction, a hook flange on each arm, said flanges being directed toward each other, the ends of said hook flanges being non-overlapping and spaced from each other and the interior surface of the flange on the longer of the two arms being spacedV from the flange on the shorter of said arms in a direction perpendicular to the spacing of the ends of the said arms, said spacings being substantially equal whereby said two flanges cooperate to retain a panel in association with the channel for pivotal action of said panel through an angle of substantially ninety degrees, when said panel has an enlargement providing a total cross section greater than said spacings fitted within said channel.

5; A hinge member comprising a pair of channels, each channel comprising a base and two spaced side arms of unequal length extending from said base, non-overlapping hook flanges, one on each arm, the anges on the arms of unequal length being directed toward each other, the ends of said flanges being spaced from each other, the interior surface of the flange on the arm of longer length being spaced from the exterior surface of the flange on the arm of shorter length in a direction perpendicular to the spacing of the ends of said hook flanges, said spacings being substantially equal, said channels being connected back-to-back as mirror images of each other whereby the opposed flanges of each channel cooperate to retain a panel in association with the channel for pivotal action of said panel through an angle of substantially ninety degrees, when said panel has an enlargement providing a total cross section greater than said spacings fitted within said channel.

6. An enclosure as set forth in claim l and further including a base member for Vsaid closure, a track in said base member parallel to said header, said track comprising two parallel spaced dams extending longitudinally of said base member, one of said dams being taller than the other of said dams, said hinge members and hinged panels depending into said track and below the top of the taller of said dams, but said hinged panels and free hinge members terminating above the top of the shorter of the two dams.

7. A closure as set forth in claim 2 and further in-Y cluding a base member for said closure, a track in said base member parallel to said track in said header, said track in said base member comprising two parallel spaced dams extending longitudinally of said base member, one of said dams being taller than the other of said dams, said hinge members and said panels depending into said track and below the top of the taller of said dams, but said hinged panels and free hinge members terminating above the top of the shorter of the two dams.

8. An enclosure as set forth in claim l and further including a header adjusting means comprising an end header member telescopically positioned over an end of said header, a pressure plate carried by the free end of said end header member, screw jack means cooperating with said header and end header member for driving said end header member in the direction of the end of said header, and wherein one of said side panels is positioned on said header.

9. A bath enclosure as set forth in claim 3 and further including a base member for said closure, a track in said base member parallel to the header, said track in said base member comprising two parallel spaced dams extending longitudinally of said base member, one of said dams being taller than the other of said dams, said hinge members and said hinged panels depending into said track and below the top of the taller of said dams, but said hinged panels and free hinge members terminating above the top of the shorter of the two dams.

l0. A hinged panel comprising a channel member, said channel member comprising a base, two spaced side arms of unequal length extending from said base in the same direction, a hook flange on each arm, said flanges being directed toward each other, the ends of said hook anges being non-overlapping and spaced from each other, and the interior surface of the flange on the lower of the two arms being spaced from the flange on the shorter of said arms in a direction perpendicular to the spacing of the ends of the said arms, a panel member, said panel member having a thickness adjacent the end thereof substantially equal to, but less than, the spacing between the ends of the hook flanges, a rib on said panel member spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal edge of said panel member, and extending from one side of said panel member, the hook flange of the shorter of said arms being positioned against said rib, the end of said panel member being adjacent said base, whereby said panel is retained in association with said channel member during relative pivotal movement therebetween.

ll. A hinged panel construction comprising: a hinge member, said hinge member comprising a pair of channels, each channel comprising a back base and two spaced side arms of unequal length extending from said base, non-overlapping hook flanges, one on each arm, the flanges on the arms of unequal length being directed toward each other, the ends of said flanges being spaced from each other, the interior surface of the flange on the arm of longer length being spaced from the exterior surface of the flange on the arm of shorter length in a direction perpendicular to the spacing of the ends of said hook flanges, said spacings being substantially equal, said channels being connected back-to-back as mirror images of each other; a pair of panel members, each panel member having a thickness, adjacent the ends of the panel members, substantially equal to but less than the spacing between the ends of the hook flanges of said channels, a rib mounted on a surface of each panel member, adjacent to a longitudinal end thereof, each said rib being parallel to and spaced from the said adjacent end; said panel members being hingedly positioned between the terminal ends of the flanges, one panel member in each of said channels, with said rib on each panel member being positioned between the interior surface of the flange on the shorter of the arms and the interior wall of the base of the resp member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Weeber J une 16,

ective channel of said hinge 

